New York City FC made records on Saturday after defeating the Portland Timbers four-2 on penalties to lift their first ever Major League Soccer Cup.
A first-1/2 purpose by using Golden Boot winner Taty Castellanos earned the traveling aspect the lead before Felipe Mora scored the equalizer within the 94th minute to ship the game into extra time. After a hundred and twenty+ minutes of play, their destiny become decided via consequences.
It become the second time NYCFC confronted penalties in the course of the 2021 postseason after defeating the New England Revolution five-3 to reach the convention semifinal.
But Goalkeeper Sean Johnson turned into organized.
“I suppose in the ones moments, you kinda have to live inside the moment. You by no means know what, what emotions, what situation will pop up. But in the end, it's pretty much being gift,” Johnson admitted completely to 90min on Thursday before the in shape.
“And you understand, more so than whatever, you take a look at that PK shootout in New England, and our gamers stepped up in a very assured way and transformed. I think that's a excellent example of every participant stepping up at one-of-a-kind factors in the season and/or one-of-a-kind points of the video games in playoffs because all and sundry's had a component to play in it. And that's kind of the splendor of, of our group and the own family that we've got.”
Johnson rose as much as the event on Saturday, stunning enthusiasts after saving Felipe Mora’s penalty to advantage the advantage. Timbers participant Diego Valeri then stepped up to the spot, sending the ball low for the NYCFC captain to once again keep.
Johnson have become the MLS Cup hero. As New York City FC celebrated, the reward commenced pouring in for Johnson.
“Our whole group simply feels so confident going into shootouts,” James Sands stated. “We have been in that and he’s always going to make the play, he’s usually going to a large shop. In large moments he’s simply grab. We felt confident going into the penalties. Sean’s a huge cause why we made it this far within the season."
Head coach Ronny Deila brought: “For me, he’s the large, massive winner. He wins us this game in the long run. The manner he speaks to the team, the way he goes in the front each day in training and brings humans together and also whilst the large moments are coming, how he stands out time after time, he's a winner, a real winner and a pacesetter. He’s a captain the entire club must be simply pleased with.”
